Communication Strategies

Are you a new supervisor? There’s lots to learn, and lots to remember! Here are three things to keep in mind that will help you generate credibility, trust, and respect. When a problem arises, address it sooner rather than later—don’t let it fester—in your own mind or in the minds of others. Yes, you may…

Ask Alice: How do I “manage up” when my boss has clearly over committed the resources of our department? We are a high-profile department and he seems to be saying yes and promising things to clients and stakeholders without understanding what it takes to get those things done. Alice Says: It sounds as if your…

Does the organization you work for bring out the best in you? Here’s what you can do, as an individual or as a supervisor, to foster and enable trust-building, even if only in your area. Be sure to deliver what you say you will, and give people a heads up if circumstances prevent that—long before…

Alice, what can I do to be sure I have my boss’s attention? I sometimes need to stop in to ask a question. When I do, he seems to be listening to me, but still is occupied reading emails or typing something. By the way, this also happens when we have a regularly scheduled meeting!…

Do you get to say “I love my job!” on a regular basis? Often? Seldom? Ever? What is it that enables you to be inspired enough @ work to do your best and feel satisfied that you’ve done a good job? Research has shown that in the best organizations with the most engaged and…

Dear Alice: I struggle to respect coworkers who display a lack of integrity and work ethic. What can I do? Alice Says: This is a tough one! I suspect you have high standards and it’s difficult to watch when others are less conscientious than you are. Your question raises a host of questions on my…

Daniel Goleman, in his many books about Emotional Intelligence, makes it clear that we need both self-management and relationship management skills in order to be successful leaders. Goleman’s premise is that the emotional intelligence competencies are required for our success, and lets us decide how we define success. He assumes that effectiveness is a big…

So…you are preparing for your interview…. How robust is your capacity for making eye contact with others? For shaking hands when you are introduced? For using an individual’s name in conversation? These are all important factors in your part in making a good first impression. Yes–your resume and cover letter have done their part, but…

So you’ve submitted your resume and cover letter, and Lo! and Behold! they’ve asked you in for an interview! Woo Hoo! Maybe you’ve already had a phone screening interview, maybe not, but now you’ll get to meet the hiring team, search committee, or the hiring manager in person. Maybe even all of them. Daunting? It…

Our daughter recently had a partially fallen tree removed from her yard. The remainder threatened to hit the house if it, too, fell unexpectedly. Before beginning, one of the arborists asked, “How attached are you to that big bush next to the tree we are removing? I’ve had some jobs where I’ve been so careful…